ACEC Advertising Campaign Against 3 Percent Withholding Draws Praise ACEC this week began a wide-ranging advertising campaign to seek congressional repeal of the onerous 3 percent federal withholding mandate that could devastate engineering firms, particularly smaller firms. Full-page advertisements were published in four primary Capitol Hill publications: Roll Call; Congressional Quarterly Today; The Hill and National Journal. The advertisements salute Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA) and Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), who introduced legislation H.R. 1023 and S.777 that would repeal the 3 percent mandate. In addition, the ads feature the names of 107 co-sponsors of the repeal measure. "The ACEC advertisements have helped enormously in raising the profile of this vital issue to lawmakers on Capitol Hill," said Congressman Meek. "Your advertisements will only help me make the case that the 3 percent withholding tax needs to be repealed, and your grassroots lobbying effort will help make that happen." Congressman Herger said: "I commend ACEC for highlighting our bipartisan efforts to repeal the 3 percent withholding burden before it takes effect in 2011. Our first step in making repeal a reality is to attract more attention in Congress. This only happens when groups like ACEC and its member companies enlighten their representatives about the business-level costs of the new withholding requirement." The 3 percent withholding provision stipulates that federal and state agencies, as well as some larger local governments, can withhold 3 percent from payments for goods and services. The measure would cover all government contracts, as well as any payment to any person for a service or product provided to a government entity.

San Jose Seminar Snags Savvy Surveyors More than 50 ACEC members attended the "The Lay of the Land—A Look Ahead for Professional Surveyors," education session held last week in San Jose, Calif. Co-sponsored by ACEC, the Council of Professional Surveyors (COPS) and CELSOC, the summit provided an important look at the present and future of land surveying. Paul Doherty, a national business management consultant, delivered a provocative keynote address that included perspectives on the downturn in the new home market. Doherty said he believes the new home market is just now beginning its downward slide and will not start to recover until the last quarter of 2009, which differs from other expert predictions of a recovery beginning in the last quarter of 2007. Lance Bishop, chief surveyor for the Bureau of Land Management in California, provided an overview of the Certified Federal Surveyor Program (CFeds). Other session topics included emerging technologies in surveying, electronic fieldbooks, and the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and surveying. A plenary session featured an expert panel discussing the issues associated with stakeless technology and GPS machine control guidance systems.

Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas Dies; Strong Supporter Of ACEC Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY), a staunch ally of ACEC, passed away this week after a long fight with cancer. He was 74. The Wyoming lawmaker worked closely with ACEC on a number of legislative battles to defend contracting out to the private sector. "We lost a true friend this week," said ACEC President Dave Raymond. "Craig Thomas was a tireless advocate on behalf of the innovation and creativity that the private sector brings in delivering services to the public. He will be sorely missed." Thomas often supported ACEC on federal procurement issues. His advocacy on behalf of the engineering industry reached its peak in 2000 with passage of the Thomas Amendment to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which sought to restrict the ability of the Corps of Engineers from competing with the engineering industry on school construction and other commercial activities.

Upcoming Online Seminars How to Plan Your Project More Effectively June 13, 1-4 p.m. (Special extended session!)         3 PDHs This jam-packed recently extended three-hour online seminar will outline a system for improving the project planning process that will "increase your firm's bottom line by a minimum of 10-20 percent," according to presenter Gary Bates, Roenker Bates Group. Participants will gain new strategies and systems for increasing employee productivity and an understanding of planning as a roadmap for increased profitability. Click here to register. The Critical Case for Defending Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) June 14, 1:30-3 p.m.                   1.5 PDHs A fresh and timely look at QBS benefits in overall project design, quality, cost and delivery. Kurt Corey, City of Eugene, OR; Paul Chinowsky, Professor, University of Colorado; and Jeff Beard, ACEC, will also examine a critical new ACEC-APWA research study currently underway that is in response to an environment of increasing challenges to existing federal and state laws and regulations protecting QBS. Click here to register.

Still Time To Register For Hot Summer Courses: Project Management and Green Infrastructure The Business of Design Consulting (BDC): A Best Practices Educational Event for the Engineering Firm of the 21st Century June 20-23, Boston, MA This is the course previous attendees have called "outstanding," "well worth the time," and "a great learning experience." Click here to register. Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Communities July 16-19, Denver, CO A new summer institute program for engineers, planners, developers and A/E/C professionals presented by ACEC and Colorado State University, this course lays out the interdisciplinary challenges of real world sustainability. Click here to register.

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